After a difficult start in life, Charles Dickens achieved fame in his mid-20s as a writer.

Dickens’ first paying reading tour took place in 1858. This exhaustive countrywide tour earned him more than £10,000 - around £1 million today. He visited Leicester and read from A Christmas Carol in the Temperance Hall, on Granby Street.

On Tuesday, December 5, the Leicester Group of the Victorian Society will present a talk by Dr John Florance on Charles Dickens: Leicester and his Public Readings.

The talk will focus on Dickens’ rather ambivalent attitude to railways, their significance in his writings and how they facilitated his famous reading tours across the country.

John Florance came to Leicester to teach English at a sixth form college. He has broadcast on Radio Two, Radio Four and Radio Leicester.

He has a PhD from the University of Wales for his research into 20th century drama and was awarded an Honorary Degree for services to local journalism by the University of Leicester.

The talk starts at 7.15pm, in Leicester’s Bishop Street Methodist Church. Admission is £2.50 and seasonal refreshments will be served. For more details, contact Peter Ellis on 01455 291694.